Dispensing container



Nov. 7, 1967 r s. R. KOOLNIS 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR .5m/w y A? /fMM//f 0% ATTORNEY NOV- 7, 1967 s. R. KooLNls DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1965 INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 s. R. KooLNls DISPENSING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 25. 1965 W il m Il a. 4 L cul 4 u a a e BY ATTORNEY v Nov. 7, 1967 s. R. KooLNls 3,351,260

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Dec. 25. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (26' fll BY 3C) ATToRNE United States Patent O 3,351,260 DISPENSING CNTAINER Stanley R. Koolnis, New York, NSY., assignor to Lee Drechsier, Palisades, and Fred Zandell, New York,

' raar nec. 23, 196s, ser. N0. 516,056

2 claims. (ci. 229-17) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates essentially to a dispensing container formed from a single sheet of bendable material, having defiectable side walls and severable means in the top wall arranged to open upon the defiection of the side Walls.

This invention relates generally to containers, and is especially concerned with unique structural improvement in dispensing containers.

As is well known to those versed in the art, there is considerable demand for containers adapted to selectively dispense their contents, as desired, being reclosable between dispensing periods. While containers of this type have been proposed in the past, there have been difiiculties encountered in complexity of construction, cost, and reliability of operation.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a reclosable dispensing container which is extremely simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and fill, and which is substantially foolproof in operation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable dispensing container of the type described which is extremely simple to use, requiring merely a squeezing action to effect opening of the container and a releasing action for closing the container, which may be manufactured, set up and filled by conventional machinery, and which is neat and attractive in its finished condition, capable of carrying desired advertising copy.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable dispensing container having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which may be constructed in the nature of a box or carton, and which affords effective protection to the contents during storage and transit, as well as when in use.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a blank adapted to be formed into a reclosable dispensing container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top perspective view illustrating a container of the present invention in its partially completed condition, as formed from the blank of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is atop perspective view similar to FIGURE 2, showing a later stage in the formation of the instant container;

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view showing the nished container in its sealed condition prior to use by a consumer;

FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view illustrating an operative condition of use by a consumer;

ICC

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan View showing a blank for the formation of a slightly modified container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a top perspective view showing an intermediate stage in formation of a container from the blank of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a top perspective view showing the finished container formed from the blank of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE l0 is a top perspective view illustrating the operational condition of use of the container of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a blank adapted to be formed into another slightly modified container of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a top perspective view illustrating an intermediate stage in formation of a container from the blank of FIGURE 1l;

FIGURE 13 is a top perspective view showing the finished container formed from the blank of FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 14 is a top perspective view illustrating an operational condition of the container of FIGURE 13.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-6 thereof, a blank is there generally designated 20, and may be formed from an integral sheet of any suitable bendable material, such as paperboard, plastic, or the like. In particular, the blank 20 includes a plurality of generally rectangular panels 21, 22, 23 and 24, arranged in side-by-side, longitudinally coextensive relation and connected together by intermediate bendable portions or fold lines 25, 26 and 27. The outer panel 21 is bounded on its outer side by an edge 28, while the outer panel 24 is bounded on its outer side by a fold line 29, to which is connected a glue flap 30.

The lower ends of panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 are respectively bounded by loWer-end folds 31, 32 33 and 34. Extending from each lower-end fold 31-34 is a respective liap 35, 36, 37 and 38.

The upper ends of the respective panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 are bounded by upper-end folds 40, 41, 42 and 43. EX- tending from the folds 40, 41, 42 and 43 are respective aps 45, 46, 47 and 48.

In the illustrated embodiments the several containers are each of a four-sided configuration, with the sides being of equal width to define rectangular upper and lower container ends of square configuration. However, it is appreciated that the container may be of other shape, having more or less sides, or of cylindrical configuration, if desired.

In the blank 20 of FIGURE 1, one of the flaps 45-48, say flap 46, may be of rectangular or square configuration, being bounded within the fold line 41, side edges 49 and 50 extending from opposite ends of the fold line, and an outer edge 51 extending between outer ends of the edges 49 and 50. In addition, a weakened line or severable portion 52 may extend diagonally across the flap 46 as between the intersection of fold 41 and edge 49, and the intersection of edges 50 and 51. A fold line or score 53 is also formed in the ap 46 extending diagonally thereacross between the intersection of fold 41 and edge 50, and the intersection of edges 49 and 51. The score 53 is formed to facilitate bending of the flap 46 in a single direction, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

It will now be apparent that the flap 46 is subdivided by the weakened or perforate line 52 and fold line 53 into four equal, right isosceles triangles. The flaps 45, 47 and 48 are each configured of substantially identical right isosceles triangular configuration to the subdivisions of iiap 46. v

In setting up a container from the blank 20 of FIGURE 3 l, the panels 21, 22, 23 and 24 are swung about the folds 25, 26 and 27 to form container side walls, as seen in FIGURE 2, and the ap 30 secured to side wall 21. In addition, the bottom fiaps 35, 36, 37 and 3S are swung inwardly and may be adhesively secured in overlying relation to define a bottom wall S5.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the fiaps 45, 47 and 48 have been swung inwardly about respective folds 40, 42 and 43, with their apices or tips in contiguous relation. The fiap 46 may next be swung downward to overlie the iiaps 45, 47 48, being adhesively secured thereto. Thus, the flaps 45, 46, 47 and 48 combine to define a top wall 56, as seen in FIGURE 4.

It will now be understood that the upper or outer flap 46 of top wall 56 has its weakened portion or perforate line 52 overlying edges of the nethe-r flaps 45, 47 and 48; and, that the fold line 53 also overlies edges of the nether iiaps. Thus, the severable line 52 .may be severed conipletely through the top wall 56, without obstruction by the nether flaps 45, 47 and 48. Such severing may be accomplished by use of a sharp edged instrument or with a fingernail. However, the unique construction here specially devised permits such severing and opening by the mere squeezing of the side walls 21, 22 and 23, say at corners or folds 25 and 27. By such squeezing the folds are moved toward each other, and the folds 26 and 29 are moved away from each other, thus inducing a tensioning of the outer flap 46 and a tearing or severing along the perforate line 52. The covering top-wall flap 46, or severed portions thereof, are caused to flex and fold along fold line 53. In the illustrated embodiment, the fold line 53 induces upward folding of the severe-d flap portions, which define therebetween an outlet opening for contents of the container.

Obviously, upon release of the container from the squeezed condition of FIGURES 5 and 6, the resilience thereof moves the corners 25 and `27 away from each other, and moves the corners 26 and 29 toward each other, to effect unfolding or flattening of the severed top-wall portions, and closure thereof. Of course, repeated opening and closing may be effected by repeated squeezing and releasing.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 7-10, a blank is there generally designated 20a and may include a plurality of side-by-side, generally rectangular panels 21a, 22a, 23a and 24a hingedly connected together by fold lines 25a, 26a and 27a. An edge 28a bounds the outer side of panel 21a, and a fold line 29a bounds the outer side of panel 24a, while a glue flap 30a is connected to panel 24a by the fold line 29a. Extending from and hingedly connected, by -fold lines 31a, 32a, 33a and 34a, to the lower ends of panels 21a, 22a, 23a and 24a are respective fiaps 35a, 36a, 37a and 38a. The upper ends of panels 21a, 22a, 23a and 24a are respectively bounded by transverse fold lines 40a, 41a, 42a and 43a. In the instant embodiment, it will be observed that the fold lines 41a and 42a may be defined by perforate lines or weakened portions, for reasons appearing presently.

Extending from fold lines 40a, 41a, 42a and 43a are respective upper-end flaps 45a, 46a, 47a. and 48a. More particularly the flaps 45a and 47a may be of generally rectangular, substantially congruent configuration, while the flaps 46a and 48a may be of right triangular configuration, respectively having one side defined by folds 41a and 43a.

The generally rectangular flap 45a may be bounded within the fold 40a, a pair of side edges 60 and 61 extending in parallelism from opposite ends of the kfold 40a, and an outer edge 62 extending between outer ends of the side edges 60 and 61. A diagonal fold 63 may be formed in the rectangular ap 45a extending between the intersection of fold 40a and edge 60, and the intersection of edges 61 and 62. The rectangular upperend flap 47a may be defined within the perforate fold line 42a, a pair of side edges 64 and 65 extending outward from opposite ends of the fold line 42a, and an outer edge 66 extending between the outer ends of the side edges 64 and 65. A perforate or severable line of weakness 67 may be formed in lthe flap 47a extending diagonally thereacross between the intersection of perforate line 42a and edge 64. and the intersection of edges 65 and 66.

The right-triangular flap 46a may be defined within the perforate line 41a, an edge 68 extending outward from one end of the perforate line adjacent to and coextensive with the ap 45a, and a diagonal edge 69 extending between the outer end of edge 6s and the other end of per forate line 41a adjacent to flap 47a. The right-triangular flap 48a may be defined within the fold 43a, an edge 70 extending outward from one end of the fold along 43a and coextensive with the flap 47a, and a diagonal edge 71 extending between the outer end of edge 70 and the op posite end of fold 43a adjacent to fold 29a.

In setting up of a box from the blank 20a, of FIGURE 7, the panels 21a, 22a, 23a and 24a are swung about their connecting folds and the fiap 30a is secured to the panel 21a adjacent to edge 28a, as seen in FIGURE 8. The lower end fiaps 35a, 36a, 37a and 38a are folded along their respective fold lines 31a, 32a, 33a and 34a and swung inward and adhesively secured in `overlying relation with respect to each other.

Further, the rectangular flap 45a is shown as having been swung inwardly about its fol-d line 40a between the upper ends of the side-wall panels, and triangular flaps 46a and 48a are respectively swung inwardly about perforate line 41a and fold 43a to overlie separate portions of the ap 45a on opposite sides 0f the fold line 63. The triangular fiaps 46a and 48a are adhesively secured to the underlying fiap 45a on opposite sides of the fold line 63; and, the lrectangular flap 47a is swung to overlie the triangular flaps 46a and 48a, being adhesively secured thereto. It will be observed that the severable portion or perforate line 67 of outer flap 47a extends over the adjacent edges 69 and 71 of the t-riangular fiaps 46a and 48a, and over the fold line 63 `of flap 45a. In this condition, the flaps 45a, 46a, 47a and 48a combine to define a closed top wall 56a, as seen in FIGURE 9. The top wall 56a may be opened, as by severance of the weakened portions or lines 41a, 42a and 67. This may be accomplished by use of a sharp instrument. However, the construction here provided contemplates such severing or tearing being done by the mere squeezing of opposed portions of the container, say corners defined by the folds 25a and 27a, as shown in FIGURE l0. Such squeezing will induce tensions along the weakened -or perforated lines 41a, 42a and 67, thus causing a tearing or severing therealong. Further, the top wall 56a will be flexed or bent along fold 63, upward away from the container, as limited by the unsevered folds 40a and 43a. Thus, as seen in FIGURE 10, the container may be opened by squeezing and closed by release of the squeezing action; and, this procedure may be repeated, as required.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES ll-l4, a blank 2Gb is provided for formation into a container. The integral blank 20b includes a pair of generally rectangular panels 2lb, 22h, 23b and 24b arranged in sideby-side relation and hingedly conencted together by fold lines 25b, 26h and 27b. Outer panel 2lb is bounded on its outer side by edge 28h, and outer panel 24b is bounded on its outer side by fold line 29h, from which extends a glue fiap 30h. Extending downward from respective panels 2lb, 22h, 23b and 24b are lower-end flaps 35h, 36b, 27h and 3812 hingedly connected thereto by fold lines 31h, 32h, 331; and 34b. As thus far described, the blank 2Gb may be essentially identical to blanks 20 and 20a.

The upper ends of panels 2lb, 22h, 23b and 24b may be bounded by fold lines 40h, 4117, 42b and 43h. The fold lines 41b and 42b may be defined by severable, weakened portions or perforate lines. Extending upward from the upper-end folds 40b, 4111, 42b and 43b are respective upper-end flaps 45b, 46h, 47b and 48b. The flaps 4511 and 47b may be substantially rectangular, in the same manner as aps 45a and 47a, while the flaps 46b and 48h may be substantially triangular, in the same manner as flaps 46a and 48a.

However, the rectangular iiap 45h is provided with a diagonal weakened portion or severance line 75 extending from the intersection of fold line 4Gb with edge ZSb to the diagonally opposite corner of the flap. Also, the iiap 47b may be provided with a diagonal fold line 76 extending from the intersection of fold line 26b with perforate line 42b to the diagonally opposite corner.

In setup of a box from the blank 2Gb, the panels 2lb, 22b, 23b and 24h are swung about their connecting folds 25b, 2617 and 27b, and the iiap 30h adhesively secured to the panel 2lb along edge 28h. The lower-end iiaps 3512, 36in, 37b and SSb are swung inward, along their respective folds 31b-34b, and secured in overlying relation to define a container bottom wall SSb.

The rectangular flap 45h is swung inward about its hinged connection 4Gb, and the triangular aps 46h and 48h are swung inward about their respective hinged connections 41b and 43h. As best seen in FIGURE 12, it will be observed that the triangular iiaps 46b and 48b overlie the rectangular ap 45b and conformably cover portions of the latter ap on opposite sides of the severance line 75. The triangular flaps 46b and 48h may be adhesively secured to the rectangular ap 45b. Lastly, the rectangular ap 47b may be swung inwardly about its hinged connection 42b to overlie the triangular aps 4Gb and 48b, and specifically, portions of the rectangular flap 47b on opposite sides of its diagonal fold 76 respectively conformably overlie the triangular aps 46b and 48b. The rectangular flap 47b may be adhesively secured in its overlying relation with the triangular aps 4Gb and 48h. Thus, the upper-end laps 45b, 4612, 47b and 4Sb combine to define a top wall 56b effectively sealing the container, as seen in FIGURE 13.

When it is desired to dispense the contents of the container, 'severance lines 41b and 42b may be severed, and the box top 56b depressed to sever the internal severance line 75 of inner flap 45b. This may be accomplished by a severing with a sharp instrument or by a manual squeezing of the container, see FIGURE 14, as applied at the folds or corners ZSb and 27h. Such squeezing will cause the box top 56h to be iiexed or folded along fold line 76 in a direction into the container and produce the tension necessary to accomplish the tearing or severing of the perforate lines 41h, 42b and 75. Thus, the box top 56b is opened upon the illustrated squeezing action, and will automatically reclose upon release of the squeezing action. Thereafter the box top 56b may be alternately reopened and closed by subsequent squeezing actions.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides Ia reclosable dispensing container which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is Well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, setup, filling and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may lbe made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing container formed from a single sheet of bendable material, comprising: a bottom wall; side walls upstanding from said bottom wall and extending peripherally about said bottom wall, said side walls being resiliently deectable to displace one pair of side wall portions toward each other and another pair of side wall portions away from each other; and a top wall extending between the upper edges of said side walls and secured thereto with the top wall undeflected, said top wall comprising at least four flaps extending inwardly from respective side walls, at least one of said ilaps being co-extensive with said top wall, the remainder of said flaps being triangular sections thereof, co-planar and in edge to edge relationship; said one of said top wall flaps having a weakened portion extending diagonally across said one Hap to bisect the latter, and a fold line extending diagonally across said one iiap extending in opposite directions from and intersecting the line of said weakened portion; the said remaining triangular iiaps being sized so as not to cross either of said weakened portion or said fold line.

2. A dispensing container formed from a single sheet of bendable material, comprising: a bottom wall; side walls upstanding from said bottom wall and extending peripherally about said bottom Wall, said side walls being resiliently deectable to displace one pair of side wall portions toward each other and another pair of side wall portions away from each other; and a top wall extending between the upper edges of said side walls and secured thereto with the top wall undeiiected, said top wall comprising at least four iiaps extending inwardly from respective side walls; two of said top wall aps being co-extensive with said top wall; one of said two coextensive top wall flaps having a weakened portion extending diagonally across said one flap to bisect same; a fold line extending diagonally across the other of said co-extensive top wall flaps extending in the same direction as the weakened portion in said one of said coextensive top Wall flaps; the remainder of said aps being triangular sections thereof and -being sized so as not to cross either of said weakened portion or said fold line, said fold line and weakened portion being in parallel planes; and at least two `adjacent of 4said top wall iiaps having a weakened portion at its edge adjacent to its respective side wall; whereby the container will open along the lines of the said last mentioned weakened portions upon deliection of said side Walls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,097,647 11/ 1937 Scott 229-7 2,323,505 7/ 1943 Wilcox 229 17 2,409,692 10/ 1946 Nyberg 229-17 2,475,677 7/1949 Ringler 229-17 2,549,582 4/1951 Duuning 229-17 2,654,525 10/1953 Adorney et al. 229-17 2,839,234 6/1958 ONeil 229-7 3,057,531 10/1962 Preen 229-7 3,107,839 10/1963 Kauiield 229--17 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETI, Exalm'ner. G. O. RALSTON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER FORMED FROM A SINGLE SHEET OF BENDABLE MATERIAL, COMPRISING: A BOTTOM WALL; SIDE WALLS UPSTANDING FROM SAID BOTTOM WALL AND EXTENDING PERIPHERALLY ABOUT SAID BOTTOM WALL, SAID SIDE WALLS BEING RESILIENTLY DEFLECTABLE TO DISPLACE ONE PAIR OF SIDE WALL PORTIONS TOWARD EACH OTHER AND ANOTHER PAIR OF SIDE WALL PORTIONS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER; AND A TOP WALL EXTENDING BETWEEN THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID SIDE WALLS AND SECURED THERETO WITH THE TOP WALL UNDEFLECTED, SAID TOP WALL COMPRISING AT LEAST FOUR FLAPS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM RESPECTIVE SIDE WALLS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FLAPS BEING CO-EXTENSIVE WITH SAID TOP WALL, THE REMAINDER OF SAID FLAPS BEING TRIANGULAR SECTIONS THEREOF, CO-PLANAR AND IN EDGE TO EDGE RELATIONSHIP; SAID ONE OF SAID TOP WALL FLAPS HAVING A WEAKENED PORTION EXTENDING DIAGONALLY ACROSS SAID ONE FLAP TO BISECT THE LATTER, AND A FOLD LINE EXTENDING DIAGONALLY ACROSS SAID ONE FLAP EXTENDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM AND INTERSECTING THE LINE OF SAID WEAKENED PORTION; THE SAID REMAINING TRIANGULAR FLAPS BEING SIZED SO AS TO CROSS EITHER OF SAID WEAKENED PORTION OR SAID FOLD LINE. 